The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) recently awarded $300,000 to KTSU(FM), a public radio station licensed to HBCUs, and to Native Public Media.
In an effort to coordinate a Covid-19 public outreach campaign, it will reach a total of 51 public radio stations. The campaign funds will go to 15 stations licensed to HBCUs, as well as 36 tribal stations, in an effort to provide accurate information about Covid-19 to populations that have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.
“The African American community has been struck significantly since the inception of Covid-19, particularly in the areas of access to Covid-19 vaccinations and in the effects the disease has had on families’ mental health,” said KTSU General Manager Ernest Walker. “KTSU is pleased to lead alongside other HBCU public radio stations to provide educational and life-saving information in order to help fight and beat the pandemic on our campuses and in other vulnerable populations.”
Compared to Whites the Black community is being affected by Covid-19 at a significantly higher rate. African Americans are being hospitalized at twice the rate, according to the state Department of Health Services.
“Public media stations, locally operated and highly trusted, are well-positioned to provide critical information to communities hard hit by the pandemic,” said Pat Harrison, CPB president and CEO. “By providing accurate and reliable information about COVID-19 vaccines, as well as the continuing need to wear masks and maintain social distance, these stations will reduce the spread of disinformation and advance the public health of the communities they serve.”
A founding partner of the COVID Collaborative, CPB supports the dissemination of vital information in regard to vaccines and other protective measures against Covid-19. The collaborative is a national assembly of leaders from different sectors, and their goal is to develop a unified platform to address the pandemic. Racial and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately represented among COVID-19 cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and CPB is trying to combat these effects.
“HBCU public radio stations serve as a vital connection to African American communities,” said KTSU General Manager Ernest Walker. “KTSU is pleased to lead this effort among other HBCU stations to provide life-saving information to fight the pandemic on our campuses and in our larger communities.”
KTSU, the public radio station based at Texas Southern University, will produce multimedia content for the campaign and provide funds to the HBCU stations to produce additional content and engagement materials.
HBCU stations:
- Alabama: WJAB, Alabama A&M University, Normal; WVAS, Alabama State University, Montgomery
- Georgia: WCLK, Clark University, Atlanta
- Mississippi: WJSU, Jackson State University, Jackson; WURC, Rust College, Holly Springs; WPRL, Alcorn State University, Lorman
- Missouri: KJLU, Lincoln University, Jefferson City
- North Carolina: WNCU, North Carolina Central University, Durham; WRVS, Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City; WSNC, Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem
- Ohio: WCSU, Wilberforce
- Texas: KTSU, Texas Southern University, Houston; KPVU, Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View
- South Carolina: WSSB, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg
- Virginia: WNSB, Norfolk State University, Norfolk
